Celtics Cruise To Grab 2-0 Series Lead Over Hawks
The Boston Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 119-106, at TD Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday. The Celtics lead the series 2-0.
The first quarter was quite tight, and neither team could create separation. However, when time expired, a half-court three-pointer from Malcolm Brogdon set the tone for Boston, and the Celtics never looked back. Boston secured a 12-point lead at halftime following a 33-24 score in the second quarter, and it seemed as if the team was going to cruise toward an easy finish. However, the Hawks didn’t rattle and won the third quarter by a 32-29 score, reducing the deficit to just nine points. The Hawks could not mount a late comeback, unfortunately. Boston closed the game out in the fourth quarter by a 29-25 score and didn’t have problems establishing a two-game lead in the series. Game 3 will be played at StateFarm Arena, in Atlanta, on Friday, April 21.
Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the Celtics with 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown had 18 points, three rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. Derrick White notched 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Marcus Smart stuffed the stat sheet and posted 14 points while adding six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Malcolm Brogdon chipped in with 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds coming off the bench.
Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Trae Young had 24 points and six assists, but he also shot 9-for-22 from the field. Young also had three rebounds and two steals. De’Andre Hunter posted 18 points and 12 rebounds while adding three assists. Clint Capela had four points and seven rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu had eight points and nine boards off the bench. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 18 points coming off the bench.
The first quarter was quite tight, and neither team could create separation. However, when time expired, a half-court three-pointer from Malcolm Brogdon set the tone for Boston, and the Celtics never looked back. Boston secured a 12-point lead at halftime following a 33-24 score in the second quarter, and it seemed as if the team was going to cruise toward an easy finish. However, the Hawks didn’t rattle and won the third quarter by a 32-29 score, reducing the deficit to just nine points. The Hawks could not mount a late comeback, unfortunately. Boston closed the game out in the fourth quarter by a 29-25 score and didn’t have problems establishing a two-game lead in the series. Game 3 will be played at StateFarm Arena, in Atlanta, on Friday, April 21.
Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the Celtics with 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown had 18 points, three rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. Derrick White notched 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Marcus Smart stuffed the stat sheet and posted 14 points while adding six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Malcolm Brogdon chipped in with 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds coming off the bench.
Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Trae Young had 24 points and six assists, but he also shot 9-for-22 from the field. Young also had three rebounds and two steals. De’Andre Hunter posted 18 points and 12 rebounds while adding three assists. Clint Capela had four points and seven rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu had eight points and nine boards off the bench. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 18 points coming off the bench.
Cavaliers Dominate Knicks, 107-90
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New York Knicks, 107-90, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Series. The series is now tied, 1-1.
The Cavaliers (1-1) essentially found themselves in a must-win scenario coming into Tuesday thanks to their series-opening loss, and after a very competitive first quarter, Cleveland separated in the second courtesy of a 34-17 advantage that gave the hosts a 20-point halftime lead over the Knicks (1-1). New York was unable to generate any momentum coming out of halftime and was down by two more going into the final period, sealing the lopsided victory.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 22 points, adding eight rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jalen Brunson followed with 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals. RJ Barrett furnished 14 points, three rebounds and one steal. Immanuel Quickely supplied 12 points, one rebound, one assist and two steals.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 32 points, supplementing them with seven assists and three rebounds. Caris LeVert registered 24 points, four rebounds and three assists. Donovan Mitchell generated a 17-point, 13-assist double-double that included two rebounds, two steals and one block. Evan Mobley posted a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two steals and two blocks.
The series now shifts to New York, where the two teams will face off at Madison Square Garden on Friday night for Game 3.
The Cavaliers (1-1) essentially found themselves in a must-win scenario coming into Tuesday thanks to their series-opening loss, and after a very competitive first quarter, Cleveland separated in the second courtesy of a 34-17 advantage that gave the hosts a 20-point halftime lead over the Knicks (1-1). New York was unable to generate any momentum coming out of halftime and was down by two more going into the final period, sealing the lopsided victory.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 22 points, adding eight rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jalen Brunson followed with 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals. RJ Barrett furnished 14 points, three rebounds and one steal. Immanuel Quickely supplied 12 points, one rebound, one assist and two steals.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 32 points, supplementing them with seven assists and three rebounds. Caris LeVert registered 24 points, four rebounds and three assists. Donovan Mitchell generated a 17-point, 13-assist double-double that included two rebounds, two steals and one block. Evan Mobley posted a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two steals and two blocks.
The series now shifts to New York, where the two teams will face off at Madison Square Garden on Friday night for Game 3.
Suns Hold Off Clippers To Even Series
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 123-109, in Game 2 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start, but the Clippers pulled ahead with a five-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The visitors kept the upper hand through the second, but the Suns rallied to tie the game at 59, heading into the break. The Suns kept the momentum going in the third and gained a five-point edge entering the final frame. The Clippers could not get back in control, as the Suns confidently closed out the home win to tie the series at 1-1.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 38 points, nine assists and a steal, in 45 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, while Deandre Ayton totaled 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Suns shot 58.8 percent from the field, including 10-of-24 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals, in 39 minutes. Russell Westbrook followed up with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks, while Eric Gordon added 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. The Clippers shot 43.8 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from deep.
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Los Angeles.
The game got out to a competitive start, but the Clippers pulled ahead with a five-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The visitors kept the upper hand through the second, but the Suns rallied to tie the game at 59, heading into the break. The Suns kept the momentum going in the third and gained a five-point edge entering the final frame. The Clippers could not get back in control, as the Suns confidently closed out the home win to tie the series at 1-1.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 38 points, nine assists and a steal, in 45 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, while Deandre Ayton totaled 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Suns shot 58.8 percent from the field, including 10-of-24 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals, in 39 minutes. Russell Westbrook followed up with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks, while Eric Gordon added 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. The Clippers shot 43.8 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from deep.
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Los Angeles.